Walter Rohrl takes the 2010 911 GT3 RS to Nurburgring 24 Hour Race

Porsche ambassador Walter Rohrl, who has an impressive record as double world rally champion, will go up to participate in the Nurburgring 24-hour race in May 2010 in a standard new Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

This also marks Rohrl's return to Germany's largest automobile race since it last participated in 1993. From 1993 until today, Rohrl has conducted tests in every standard Porsche vehicle on the Nurburgring-Nordschleife.

Rohrl said that ever since, the new 911 GT3 RS had reminded him of a race vehicle. He stated that no other road-going 911 has ever been as close to a race car as this current GT3 RS.

Rohrl says that he wants to prove all the more that this sports car is up for the challenge of the 24-hour race. Powering the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a 450 hp, 3.8-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine.

The high-revving unit had reached a specific output of over 118 hp per liter. The 911 GT3 RS, which was developed in the motorsport department at Weissach, is fitted with a particularly short transmission ratio for racing purposes as a standard feature.

Driving dynamics is improved due to the dynamic engine mounts that are featured as standard. Depending on the driving situation, the mounts change in their stiffness and damping effect.

This improves the connection between the engine and body when driving under racing conditions. The aerodynamics is hence designed for downforce, which is another forte for track racing.

Over the last years, due to their exceptional reliability and speed, racing models from Porsche have performed well especially at the 24 Hours Nürburgring. This was shared by Porsche Motorsport Head Hartmut Kristen.

The Porsche GT3 RSR has managed to dominate for four straight time the overall classifications. Kristen added that he is happy knowing that the brand’s Weissach-developed road-going vehicles have managed to compete equally with pure races and have proven to be good choices for long distance competition.

Press Release

Walter Röhrl competes in standard Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Porsche ambassador and test driver Walter Röhrl (62) will contest the Nürburgring 24 hour race in May 2010. The double world rally champion pilots a standard Porsche 911 GT3 RS. This marks the first time since 1993 that Röhrl competes in Germany’s largest automobile race.

Since 1993, Röhrl has conducted tests in every standard Porsche vehicle on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. “Right from the word go, the new 911 GT3 RS reminded me of race vehicle,” says Röhrl. “No other road-going 911 has ever been as close to a race car as this current GT3 RS. That’s why I’m thrilled to be able to prove that this sports car is up to the challenge of the 24 hour race.”

The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS is powered by a 450 hp, 3.8-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine. The high-revving unit reaches a specific output of over 118 hp per litre. Developed in the motorsport department at Weissach, the 911 GT3 RS is fitted with a particularly short transmission ratio for racing purposes as a standard feature. The dynamic engine mounts featured as standard contribute to improved driving dynamics. Depending on the driving situation, the mounts change in their stiffness and damping effect, improving the connection between the engine and body when driving under racing conditions. The aerodynamics is consequently designed for downforce - another forte for track racing.

“In the last years, Porsche racing vehicles have performed brilliantly at the 24 hour race on the Nürburgring with their speed and extraordinary reliability,” says Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “Four times straight, it was the Porsche GT3 RSR that was the vehicle to dominate the overall classification. I’m very pleased to see one of our Weissach-developed road-going vehicles competing parallel to the thoroughbred racers and proving its suitability for long distance competition.”

The 38th running of the Nürburgring 24 hour race takes place from 15 to 16 May 2010. Every year, this event attracts far more than 200,000 spectators to the Nordschleife.